Gun sales up as prosperity, fear grow

James Cannon

Published 4:30 pm, Saturday, March 17, 2012

Photo: Cindeka Nealy

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Eric Whiting with Five Four Tactical based out of Fredericksburg, custom builds one of two AR-15 Rifles for a customer Saturday during the Permian Basin Gun Show at the Ector County Coliseum. Cindeka Nealy/Reporter-Telegram less

Eric Whiting with Five Four Tactical based out of Fredericksburg, custom builds one of two AR-15 Rifles for a customer Saturday during the Permian Basin Gun Show at the Ector County Coliseum. Cindeka ... more

Photo: Cindeka Nealy

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Gun dealer and collector Bobby Turner of Brownwood looks at a custom built Monty Harkins Benchrest Rifle, Saturday during the Permian Basin Gun Show at the Ector County Coliseum. Cindeka Nealy/Reporter-Telegram

Gun dealer and collector Bobby Turner of Brownwood looks at a custom built Monty Harkins Benchrest Rifle, Saturday during the Permian Basin Gun Show at the Ector County Coliseum. Cindeka Nealy/Reporter-Telegram

Photo: Cindeka Nealy

Gun sales up as prosperity, fear grow

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Just like the economy in Midland and Ector counties, gun sales are also high.

The oil boom and low unemployment have left many gun enthusiasts with extra spending cash, but another motivation is the uncertainty in firearm legislation and the direction of the federal government.

"A lot of people are wary about the future, especially about who the next president might be," said Eric Whiting, a vendor at the Permian Basin Gun Show.

Whiting primarily sells AR-15 assault rifles, but unlike many of his competitors, he customizes the weapons and builds them in front of his customers.

At the gun show at the Ector County Coliseum on Saturday, he was busy readying new gear for perspective clients and building several tailor-made AR-15s for new clients.

He said business is booming throughout the region. He added that although oil workers were his predominate clientele -- and their discretionary income is a large factor -- many are just fearful over the direction the federal and state governments are heading.

He mentioned stricter assault weapon laws in California as a reason for worry for most gun enthusiasts.

Despite recent Supreme Court victories for Second Amendment rights -- District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago -- many still worry. Both cases reaffirmed the right for citizens to own weapons to protect their homes and families, overruling local entities denying Americans this right.

Several other trade show vendors echoed similar concerns for the fate of gun rights in America's future.

Sean Murphy said he was stocking up on ammunition because prices are soaring. He said it isn't just firearm prices spiking; people fearful of the government are hording ammo. There also is a bandwagon effect, he said. When prices start rising, people buy as much at whatever price they can because the ammo, especially for popular guns like AR-15s, is only will become more expensive and desirable, he said.

Another shopper Saturday, Hector Rodriguez, said he was buying a handgun to protect his family. Rodriguez said he never has owned a gun but is becoming increasingly fearful of criminals hurting his family.

"I never really had the need to (buy a gun), but every day I hear of some story about people being hurt from criminals," he said. "I've got the money, there is no reason for me not to buy (a firearm)."

The Permian Basin Gun Show continues today at the Ector County Coliseum.